Elizabeth Schmidt

  • Senior Research Fellow in Nonprofit Organizations, UMass Amherst
Jason Van Tatenhove, a former national spokesman for the Oath Keepers, has testified about the group’s extremism. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

IRS granted tax‑exempt status to extremists, including an Oath Keepers foundation – here’s why that’s not as surprising as it sounds

The First Amendment, along with a lack of clarity on what counts as an educational mission for charities, can lead authorities to approve applications from extremist groups.
A session at Davos highlighted the consequences of capitalism. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images

Can capitalism solve capitalism’s problems?

As capitalism’s image crumbles, many of the world’s biggest companies are trying to give it new life by showing it can mean more than just making money.
First Baptist Church Pastor John Crowder leads an open-air Sunday service four days after a deadly fertilizer plant explosion in the town of West, near Waco, Texas, on April 21, 2013. Reuters/Adrees Latif

How much does the Johnson Amendment curtail church freedom?

The Johnson Amendment requires houses of worship to stay away from politics to receive tax exemptions. Yet, their leaders can speak out in a variety of ways that could reflect their religious views.

Contact Elizabeth for

  • General
  • Media request
  • Speaking request
  • Consulting / Advising
  • Research collaboration
  • Research supervision